Sash weight



W. WOLFF sAsH WEIGHT March l2, 1929,

Filed March 16, 1927 @l 19 Mixer my@ "I @1MM/9m @M MM Patented Mar. 12, 1929.

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UNITED STATES! WALTER woLFF, or

fpATENroi-fFica Caicedo, iiQLINoIs.

' sAsH WEIGHT.

Application filed March 16,v

' pulley aperture in the weight and through the window pulleysand being atlixed at each end to a different sash. With this system of installation, a single sash weight is adapted to lift one -side of two separate sashes and only half as many weights are required per sash, kbut in order to provide the same amount of liftingl force on the sashes, the weights should be made twice as heavy.

As the cross section of the weight is ordinarily limited to va size which willv pass through the weight box opening, which is usually of the same width as the thickness of a sash the weights of the prior art Ecan not be `made as yheavy as they should be without unduly increasing their llength and'corrcspondingly limiting thel length of travel in the weight box. weight is made heavier, it will become too long ,so that it will hit the bottoni of the box beforethe window is fully opened. The length of travel of each weightl is the length of the box below the pulleys, diminished by lthe length of the weight itself, and it is therefore evident that. the limitation lin cross section of the weight imposed by the size of the weight boxopening and thev limitationy in length which is imposed. by the requirement for the length of travel which f will completely open the window, prevent the einployment of weights of the most desirable size and the full utilization of the space in the weight box.`

One of the objects of my invention is the elimination of the foregoing difficulties by the provision of a sectional sash weight which may be installed in the old type of window frames without any changes inthe windowA frames, and which will provide a. maximum of weight per running inch of travel, 'fully utilizing allof the space in theA weight box.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a sash weight ofthe class described Chaving a pluralityk of' sections `which are In other words, if the 1927. ASerial No. 175,667.-

divided vertically for the purpose vof'taking l advantage of the kfull width of the weight box and, at the same time, enabling thecon-l venient and easy attachment of said sections to each other through the small box 'openings intheweight boxes of old windows.'

Another object of vmy invention-'isy the provision of a sash weight of the classde-rv scribedhaving means to compensate for thev diifei'ence 1n .weight between the upper and f lower sasheS, so that where one of these is considerably heavier than the otheigl' amV enabled to use la weight of sufficient size to properly balaneethe heaviest windowr and, f

at the same time, prevent thisheavier weight fiom moving the lighter sash from its adjusted position when such movement is not desired.

Other objects and a Y more fully from the following description `and from the accompanying. drawings sin which similar"charaetersof reference ndicateA similar parts 'throughout the several views. f

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 isan elevational view of a window equipped with my sash weights.

Fig. 2 is anv enlarged, detailed, cross-sectional view'- on theline'2-2of Fig. 1.`

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, elevational view of my sash weights, showing the compensating Y arrangement of the pulleys.

Fig. 4 is a side, elevational view of weights similar to those shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, 10 indicates in I its entirety the window frame, which is provided with the upper sash 11, the lower sashV 12, both said sashes being adapted to slide in the usual guides provided by thel outer stop 13, the inner stop lll,l and the Aparting bead 15.

dvantages will appear The window frame 10 is providedv with y the usual pair-ofy pulleys 16 and 17 at the' top of each side of the frame, and with the usual weightbox 1S extending alongv each side of the frame below the pulleys 1G and 17.

"After the trim l19 of the window frame has been nailed in place, the weight boxes18 are effectively closedfrom the front and are laccessible for the installation of weights or the change of weights only through the usual v weight box opening' 2O which may beprovided in eitheroi' both ofthe guides for the.'V

'sashes This v weight box I opening 'y usually consists of an opening sawed in theboard 21 iio of the frame with a beveled cut 22, so that the cover 23 of this opening will not fall into the weight box but may be secured in place' by a small screw or brad. i

, In order that the weight box Vmay be accessible without removing the parting bead the old type of round cast iron sash weights.A

ThileI have shown my adjustable sash weight as provided withpulleys-and with a single weight on each side of the window` frame, I desire to beV understood that my invention may be employed also where it is simply desired to fasten the end of the sash j cord to the weight.. In such case, the cord may be tied about the central pulley and the number of weights usedk will depend upon the usualk method of installing ropes and weights. However, my sash weight is par- .ticularly adapted to beused in 'the systemj shown in Fig. 1, Vwherein a singlesash cord 24 is employed on each side of the window.

One end of the sash cord 24 is attached to the left edge of the sash V12 in the usual' Y manner, the cord passing fromfthesash 12 over the forward pulley 17, thence down the weight box 18, around the pulley 34 .of the sash weight, thence upward in the weight box over the rear pulley 17, the other end of Y this cord being attached to the left edge of the upper sash 11 in the usual manner. The other sash cord 24, with its' weight, is attached to the sashes 11 and 12 at their right edges in a similar manner to lthat just described, Vand it willV thus be observed that'the sashes 11 and 12 are supported at each edge by a singley sashrweight. f

Referring to'Figs. 3 and 4, 26 indicates in itsentirety my combined sash weight, which comprises an upper` supporting section 27 and a plurality of lower removable sections 28, 29 and 30, which are divided along a vertical line 31, preferably centrally located, so that the weights will be properly balanced.

The upper section 27 may be a cast metal member having substantially cient depth to receive the pulleys 33 to 35, and the supporting section 27 is provided with a plurality of regularly spaced apertures 36 which are adapted to receive the transverse pins 37 to rotatably support the pulleys 33, 34 and 35 inthe slot 32. The

Y apertures 36 may be slightly countersunlr at each end and the pins 37 riveted over atV Veach end to permanently assemble these parte.

The supporting section 27 has its lower edge 38 concavely curved, conforming substantially to the shape of a cylinder, and the upper edges of the removable sections 28, 29

, and 30 may beV complementarily shaped to upper edge of the removable sections should preferably be extended downward a slight distancebelow the vedges of the upper sec tion to which they are attached. Thus the surface y39 -`continues downward as at 41, leaving a slot at each side when these'secf tions are attached together so that they may be slightly rotated relative to each other for a purpose further to be explained.

The lower edges 40 of the upper sections, andthe cylindrical portions 39 of the lower sections, are provided with registering apertures 42 and 43, respectively, which are adapted to receive a pin 44 of a length equal to the thickness of these sections or slightly less than the same, so that the pin may not project therefrom. z

In order to maintain the pin 44 in the position shown in Fig. 4, theapertures 42 may be `made a very close fit therewith and for this purpose they may bedrilled rather than cast. However, in order to provide a sash weights'which requires no machine work, the

r apertures 43 in the upper edgesof the llower sections are preferably made of the shape shownV 1n Fig. 3, having upwardly converg lng'walls 45sov that when the pin 44 is in place and the lower sections 29 and 30 are pulling downward, due to their weight, the walls 45 will wedge upon the central por` tions of the pins 44 and maintainthese pins iny their proper position. By means of the cylindrical curvature of the surfaces 38 and 39, I am enabledto place the. respective seetions of the sash weight together with the aperturesl 42' and 43 in approximate alignment, and by rotating the cylindrical portion 39v within ,its complementary `surface 38, the apertures 42 and 43 may quicklybe brought rectangular i Vsides and a transverse slot 32 located. in its upper edge and of slightly greater width i 4 than the pulleys 33 to 35, which are to be located therein. The slot 32 should be of suili into exact alignment so that the pin 44.1nay be easily inserted.

l,In this operation, the increased size of the apertures 43 at their bases greatly aids the insertion .of the' pin 44, and when the pin has been-located, as in Fig. 4, the wedging action of the apertures 43, and the co-operation of the surfaces 38 and 39, effectively prevents any axial movement of the pins 44.

In order that the pins 44 may be inserted or removed from the weights while they are in thelwei'ght box, and in order that this operation may be performed through the weight box opening `20, the apertures 42 and 43 are preferably locatedclose to vthecenter of the supportingsection 27 and at the ture 2O.V l i The pin of'the section 28 may be brought f into alignment with the weight box opening 2() by swinging the weight toward thel right an amount which is permitted by the neceslsary play or clearance between the sash weights and the walls of the weight box; namely, the distance between the right edge 46 of the weight 29 and the right edge 47 of the weight box.l

It will thus be observed that, althoughthe points of attachment are eccentrically located upon the lower weight sections, they are symmetrically locatedwith respect to the upper orsupporting section, yand wheii a pair of weights 28 and29 aie supported upon the upper section, as shown, ,the shape of the combined sash yweight is symmetrical withI regard to thelocation of the pulleys 33, 34 and 35. L 1 I The details ofy the lower edges 48 dhd49 of the sections 28 and 29 may be exact-ly similar to the lower edge surface 38 of the upper supportingsection, with the-exception that the round apertures 42 are symmetrically located in the lower, inside corners of these edges.

It will be observed, also, that the upper edge of additional sections 30 may be formed exactly similar to the upper edge -of the sections 28, and 29 and that any number of sections 28,- 29 Aand 30 -of exactly similar forni may be readily attached below each other to make the sash weight any, con-` venient size permitted by the .size of' the `weight box.

The weightsections 28, 29 and 30r may be identical for use on the left or vright side, thereby eliminating the necessity forinaking more than two dilfere'nt ykinds-ofseC- tions, and ordinarily asuilicient Variation in weight may be procured by adding two of thel sections at once, as shown inFig. 3. However, if it is desired to add al single section below the upper` weight section 27 or below a pair of sections 28 and 29,`such a section may be provided kwith a pair of'apertures like thel apertures 43, symmetrically located near the center ofthe top edge in suoli manner thata pair of pins may beA `used to ]oin such section tothe top section 27 or any lower sections, such yas 28 and29. A single section may thus be supported in balanced position, either below the top section orany succeeding pair of sections. v *i A very important feature of my invention is the size of the supporting section 27 and any other lower sections used relative to the size of `the weight box 18 and relative to the sizeof the weightv box opening 20. A

Referring to `Fig. 2, it; will be observed that the width of the supporting section 27 is but slightly greater than the width ofthe weightbox opening 20. As it is always necessary to provide ysome clearance on all .sides'of the saslipweight, the thickness of these sections is 'slightly less than the depth of the weight boxv 18, Yand it will be oberved thatthis clearance, relative to the depth of the weight box, permits the insertion of an upper supporting section 27 which is slightly wider than the lopening 20. Inthe opera- I tioncf insertion, the section 27 is inserted with one edge first, theother following after the'iirst edge hasbeen moved over int-o the weight box.

- The width of the removable-sections-28, 29, 30, ete., should preferably be slightly less than the width of the opening 20, and is limited by the amount of clearance necessary to swing the apertures iii the section soV 28 over where they align with the opening 20. It will thus kbe observed that the combined sections28 and-29, together with any sections which may be attached -below them,

are adapted to utilize to the fullest extent the width and depth ofthe weight box 18, leaving only the necessary clearance. As

these sections may be made of the maximum permissible width, they will provide thel weight/required without taking up so much of the length of the weight box, thereby greatly increasing the length of travel of l the weigllts.

The method of installation of my sash weights in existing window trames is as follows:

n The old weightsandropes having been removed, a lishl tape may be inserted at the pulleys 17, andY after, the cord hasfbeen 'passed through thepulley 34:,.the ends of the rope may be pulled `up over the pulleys and attached to the sashes in the usual manner. 1lhe upper supporting section 27 may then he inserted .through the aperture 20, as previously described, and by swinging this section to thev right, the lower section 28 may be attached and a pin insertedthrough its aperture 4:2. During-this operation, the

swiveliiig 'feature of the surfaces 3S and 39, will greatly aid in the alignment of the.

apertures. y t l The section y29 may then be vattached Vin a similar manner by a pin de* throughits apertuie'and through the section 27 and the desiredy numberl of other sections may -be attached in similar manner below the sections 29 and 29 to make the sash weights of any desired size. As .the weight-moves upward when one sash is lowered and downward when the other sash is lowered, the ropes should preferably be of such length that the weights are located substantially in the center of their' travel.

In order to compensate for differences 4in y weight between the dilferent sasnes. my upieo per supporting section 27 is provided withv in the manner shown in Fig. A. It will be' observed that the rope 24 passes under the pulley 33, over the pulley 3ft, and under the pulley 35, and asian odd number of pulleys are provided,lhe rope emerges from the top ofthe section `in the samek direction as when a single pulley is used.

I have found that withthe arrangement shown I am enabled to provide sash weights in the system shown in Fig. l, which are ot a weight adapted to substantially balance the` weight of the heaviest sash but, at the same time, the resistanceA added by this arrangement is such that this heavier weight will not, of itsel:t,actuate the lighter sash. In such case, I can Veven employ a sash weight which is heavier than the lighter sash, butby means of the arrangement shown, the lighter sash, as well as the heav' ier sash, will remain in any adjusted posi` tion and will be balanced with a single weight of adequate size so that both will move easily, when desired.

It will thus be observed that I have in vented a sectional sash weight which utilizes all ot the space available in theweight box,

giving more weight, per Vrunning inch, than any of the weights of the prior art, and that this sash weight canbe installed in existing windows through the usual small aperture provided in weight boxes. My sash weight is also adapted to be used simultaneously with sashes of greatly diiferent weight, as it includes means tor compensating for the diilerence in weight between such sashes.

v Since my weights are constructed of cast metal, there is considerable tolera-nce or clearance between the respective weights. The symmetrical location of the holes in the upper weight section supports the lower weights in such manner as to form Va balanced structure. The eccentric location of the'apertures in the upper corners of the lower weights causes all of the lower weights to swing toward each other, each lower weight being counter-balanced bythe opposed weight. At the same time, the pivotal f connections provided by pin and aperture permit the lower weights to swing down although the narrower upper weight may betilted by frictional forces acting upon it. My sash weight is therefore adapted to hang centrally in a. box no matter whether' the upper weight section is tilted and no matter whether the point of attachment to the upper weight section may be slightly out of center.

While I have illustrated and described a specific embodiment of my invention many modifications may be made without depart' ing from the spirit ot the invention, andI do not wish to be limited to the 'precise detailsset torth but "desire to avail myself oit all changes within the scope ot' the appended claims. l I

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure' by Let# ters of the United States is:

l. In a sash weight, the combination of means for support otsaidv weight by a rope, with a plurality of sash weight sections of a size adapted to pass the weight box aperture and supported on said means side" by side to use substantially the full width of Mthe box. Y

2. In a sash weight, the combination of a main weight section having a pulley therein and having a slotted base, with a plurality of narrower sections centrally supported from said mainsection side by side, said narrower sections having tops receivable in said slotted base and said sections havingv registering apertures, said apertures being located where accessible from the weight boX open* ing, pins for securing the'same together, and means for holding said pinsin place comprising upwardly converging walls in the apertures at the tops ot said narrower 'sections.

3. In a window, the combinationl of a vclosed loops in the weight boxes, and a weight in each boXhaving a plurality of pul-` leys, said ropes passing alternately on opposite sides of said pulleys.

41. In a sash weight,the combination of a main weight sectionhaving a pulley therein and having an arcuate base, with a plurality ot narrower sections centrally supported fromsaidmain section side by side, said narrower sections having` complementary arcuate tops land said sections having registering apertures transverse'to said arcuate base, and a pin passing through said sections for securing the same together.

5. In a sashweight,'the combination of a main weight section having a pulley therein and having an arcuate base, with a plurality ot' 'narrow sections centrally supported Vtrom said main section side by side, said narrower sections having complementary arcuate tops and said sections having registering apertures transverse to the axis of said arcuate tops, said apertures being located where accessible from the weight box opening and said` weight sections being adaptedto utilizethe full cross-section of the weight box, and pins for securing said sections together. v

6. Ina sash Weight, the combination of a weight box ,having an aperture extending 5,' only across a part of the width Aof the box,

a sash weight having means for its support by a exible member, and a plurality of Weight sections depending from said weight side by side to substantially fill the crosssection of the weight box and of a size adapted to pass said aperture. Y

7. In a sash weight, the combination of a mainl weight section having means for its support by a fiexible member, and having a transverse slot in its base, With a plurality of other sections having similar slots in their adapted to substantially fill a weight box.

9. In a sash Weight, the combinationof ay supporting weight section, with lower weight sections carried side by side fro-m said supportinr section, said lower sections being provided with attaching means eccentrically located on said lower` sections to cause the same to swing toward each other.

10. In a sash vweight assembly, the combination of a pair of sashes, guides therefor, flexibley meansv supporting said sashes land counter-balanced by a sash weight, said sashl Weight being provided with a pulley supported by said iexible means andk said sashi weight being provided with a plurality of sections, each eccentrically supported and counter-balanced by centrically, supported.

11. In ajwindow weight system, the com# bination'of flexible means With sashes of unequal weight attached one at each end of said means, a oating main Weight section having friction lmeans for resisting mover' ment of said Weight relative to said iieXible means, and a pair of lower weight sections veccentricallypivoted on said main section to counter-balance each other. v

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 14th day of'March, 1927.

WALTER WoLFF.

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